Case Number 04156

THE LION KING

The Charge

Feel the Love

Opening Statement

In an age of marketing overexposure, when a company takes too much of a good
thing and runs it right into the ground, it is invigorating to return to the
original source and rediscover the magic. Since the rebirth and subsequent
renaissance of Disney Feature Animation following the release of The Little
Mermaid in 1989, the Michael Eisner-led Disney marketing machine has taken
every single animated property and bled them dry. Half-baked direct-to-video
sequels, cut-rate television series, over produced stage shows, mass
merchandising, and cheesy product tie-ins have combined to hit us over the head
24 hours a day with everything Disney. You can't escape it or avoid being
affected by it. While good for the company coffers, it dilutes the inherent
value of what once was considered to be something quite special. How refreshing
it is then to cleanse the palate and return to a classic like The Lion
King with a fresh perspective.

Facts of the Case

The Pridelands: a small slice of heaven on Earth, where nature exists in
peace and harmony, under the benevolent rule of Mufasa, the Lion King. Yet all
wise beings know the circle of life will call upon them to complete their tasks
and move on to the next world. Mufasa tries to impart this wisdom to his son,
Simba, but the young cub is too preoccupied with life and all its potential to
hear or comprehend. Like most youngsters, they must learn their lessons the hard
way. In a nurturing and supportive environment, this is generally not a bad way
to educate oneself. However, the world can be a cruel place, even within a
loving family.

Enter Scar, Mufasa's brother. Scar has lived his adult life self-exiled, in
the shadow of his better looking, more successful, universally adored sibling.
Instead of using their differences as a source of inspiration and betterment, he
has chosen instead to brandish them as an excuse for his failures and
shortcomings, sharpening them as a weapon to be used at the most opportune
moment. Capitalizing upon Simba's youthful exuberance and reckless abandon, Scar
manipulates his nephew into playing the key role in his ascension to power --
his perceived entitlement to the leadership of the pride. Believing these events
to be all his doing, Simba flees from his home and family in shame and disgrace,
never to return.

Following years of abuse and neglect under King Scar, the Pridelands have
been decimated to the point of being uninhabitable. The lionesses have been
forced to hunt outside their boundaries in order for the pride to survive. It is
one such young lioness, Nala, who discovers the exiled Simba and triggers the
next part of his journey, one which will force him to face the ghosts and demons
of his past, to save the ones he loves.

The Evidence

For all its acclaim and notoriety, The Lion King was one Disney
project nobody wanted. Billed as Bambi in Africa, the assignment was
shunned by all of the studio's A-list talent in favor of Pocahontas. As
such, the B-Team was called in. Most had little or no prime-time experience,
giving the project a very family-like atmosphere. Through rewrites and concept
changes, they developed an underdog mentality, setting out to prove everyone
wrong. It must have worked because the result is an animated masterpiece.

The Lion King is without question one of the most successful Disney
films of all time -- the perfect blend of story, design, acting, music, and
direction. Yet with this success has come controversy. Some detractors claim the
film is a blatant rip-off of Osama Tezuka's Jungulu Taitei, a highly
regarded 1950s manga series, later adapted into anime form. Others feel the
story tracks too closely to Shakespeare's Hamlet. Regardless of your
position, one cannot argue with the passionate response this film generates.
Even now, ten years later, the power these characters possess is clearly
evident.

Mufasa is the loving father, always doing what is best for his family and
his world. Drawing upon both Native American and Buddhist philosophies, he walks
tall, carrying a big stick, and showing the utmost respect to every element of
the world in which he lives. In the end, he makes the ultimate sacrifice to save
the life of his son, and with him the hope for a better future.

Scar, damaged by the failings of life's promise, has chosen to define
himself by these events. Focused solely upon himself and his wants, needs, and
desires, he is oblivious to the impact his actions have on the animals and the
environment that surrounds him.

Simba represents the majority of us, thrown into a world that is both
unfamiliar and invigorating. Unspoiled by the hardships of life, every day is
filled with limitless adventure and unending possibilities. Yet his
naïveté and trusting nature leaves him vulnerable to those who seek to
force others to share in the pain and suffering to which they themselves have
fallen victim.

This triad represents life, death, and the potential each of us holds in
making a positive impact on this world. Some choose to embrace it, others run
from it, and still others spend an entire lifetime being inert and indecisive
for fear of making a mistake or an incorrect choice, when in truth, there are no
right or wrong answers. The only failure is not making a choice at all. Simba
could have lived his entire life in the jungle, happy and carefree alongside his
surrogate family, Timon and Pumbaa; and yet, by doing so, he would never achieve
the purpose he was brought into this world to fulfill.

As a young cub, Simba thrilled at the thought of being king, but the
pitfalls of life caused him to forget. We all have gifts to share. Sometimes we
just need a gentle whack on the side of the head to remember we too can make a
difference.

People should walk away from The Lion King with a renewed sense of
self-worth. We are the only ones responsible for the choices we make in life --
and it's never too late to change.

So ends today's philosophy lesson.

In animation, the artist contributes as much to the acting ability of the
character as the voice talent. Mark Henn and Jonathan Taylor Thomas combine to
give Young Simba a strong dose of naïve courage and indestructibility that
gives way to an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse, while Ruben Aquino and
Matthew Broderick follow the through-line to its natural conclusion of internal
conflict and explosive resolve. The transformation is fluid, seamless, and
without question. Michael Surrey and Nathan Lane, along with Tony Bancroft and
Ernie Sabella, give the film its heart and comedic relief, effectively balancing
the intense drama that bookends the picture. While these three are the focus of
the film, we must also give credit to the exceptional work turned in by James
Baxter and Robert Guillaume as Rafiki, the wise simian sage; Ellen Woodbury and
Rowan Atkinson as the kingdom's ever-watchful grand vizier Zazu; Tony Fucile and
James Earl Jones as the majestic and benevolent Mufasa; and the magnificent
pairing of Andreas Deja and Jeremy Irons who practically steal the film with
their insidious Richard III portrayal of Scar. It's unfortunate that AMPAAS does
not evaluate these types of performances for Oscar, since several of them were
certainly worthy of consideration.

Presented in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen, Disney has outdone themselves
once again with another sparkling, Platinum Edition transfer. While not as awe
inspiring as the restoration done on Snow White and the Seven Dwarves or
Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty: Special Edition, this ten-year-old film,
enhanced by today's digital technology, looks brand new. The colors and textures
are richer and more clearly defined, evoking a more encompassing jungle,
foreboding elephant graveyard, and desolate Pridelands. Nowhere are the colors
more vibrant than the "Pink Elephants on Parade" inspired Can't
Wait to be King sequence. In contrast, the blacks are most powerful in the
heartfelt discussions between Mufasa and Simba during Under the Stars and
He Lives in You.

Enhanced by the glorious operatic score of composer Hans Zimmer, Mark
Mancina, and the incomparable Lebo M, the team of Elton John and Tim Rice
redefined the Disney musical. Gone are the cheesy kids tunes such as
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, replaced with compelling and timeless lyrical tales
of life, love, and loss. As Howard Ashman and Alan Menken elevated Disney
Feature Animation to filmmaking respectability with The Little Mermaid,
Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, Rice and Sir Elton have kicked
up the art form's level of significance ten-fold. The Dolby 5.1 Enhanced Mix
proves this out in resplendent fashion, adding depth and breadth to an already
robust world. From the echoes in Scar's cave to the hum of jungle insects, your
room will be instantly transformed.

True to previously defined Platinum Edition standards, this two-disc
collection is bursting with bonus materials. Interestingly enough, there is
equal parts entertainment for the kids and enlightenment for the adults.

Disc One

As we look out over a beautiful and active CGI Pridelands, Zazu enlightens
us on the many opportunities that await.

* Two Versions of the Film First up is the enhanced Special Edition,
including a newly animated, Elton John/Tim Rice musical sequence -- The
Morning Report -- adapted from the Broadway musical. This two and a
half-minute segment overlays and expands existing action from the original film
in which Mufasa teaches Simba how to pounce, using Zazu as his practice prey.
The second version is the original 1994 theatrical release pristinely presented
with an enhanced 5.1 audio mix.

* The Making of Morning Report A brief behind-the-scenes peek
at the work that went into creating this new sequence.

* Personality Profile Game Quickly becoming a standard on Disney
animation releases, viewers answer a series of questions to determine which
Lion King character their personality most closely resembles. For the
kids.

* Timon's Grab-a-Grub Game A cursor-driven diversion in which users
help Timon select a delectable repast. Think whack-a-mole. For the kids.

* Pumbaa's Sound Sensations Test your audio reflexes by aiding Pumbaa
in determining which inhabitants of the Pridelands are hiding just out of sight
in these beautifully rendered backgrounds. For the kids.

* "Circle of Life" Music Video The Disney Channel kids
(Hilary Duff, Raven, Christy Romano, and more) are at it again, this time
recording a new version of the Elton John/Tim Rice classic specifically for this
Platinum Edition DVD release.

* The Making of the Music Video Can you say filler? I knew you could.
Up next: The Making of "The Making of the Music Video."

* Sing Along Track It's not like the kids will ever get bored by this
film, even after repeated viewings, but to spice things up you can activate
these musical subtitles for the kiddies to karaoke with their favorite
songs.

Disc Two

Jeremy Irons introduces viewers to a unique worldwide, multi-path adventure
that awaits them. You have the option of taking self-guided tours through
features separated into each of the six major continents or partake in one of
the six safaris that have been prepared for you. Utilizing a near-abusive
approach to content reuse, similar to the one used on Walt Disney's Sleeping
Beauty: Special Edition, this release makes it an art form.

* Safari: Story (12 min) The production team looks back on the origins
of "Bamblet" (Bambi in Africa) and the various twists and turns the
concept took before ultimately becoming the film we see here.

* Story Origins * Timeless Themes * The Story
Comes to Life

* Safari: Film (17 min) The underdog mentality of this rag-tag crew
shines through as they discuss their research trip to Africa and the many
influences that brought the film to life.

* Safari: Stage (16 min) What began with laughter and skepticism
rapidly became a worldwide phenomenon, through the driving creative inspiration
of Julie Taymor and Lebo M. Learn how the film translated to the stage and how
many of the original artists joined forces to make it happen.

* Safari: Music (24 min) Would you believe The Lion King was
never intended to be a musical? It's true. The first concept was done in
National Geographic and Wild Kingdom style. Credit Tim Rice for making the
suggestion and bringing in Elton John to create the music.

* Safari: Animals (18 min) It's an Animal Planet inspired look at the
real animal inspirations for the characters that populate The Lion King,
as well as a look back at Walt's fascination with the animal kingdom.

* Virtual Safari Join Timon and Pumbaa on two wild and crazy journeys
through nighttime Africa. If you prefer water, we have "The Boat
Adventure" (think WDW's Jungle Cruise) or, for land lubbers, "The Jeep
Safari." Either way, you're in for one comedic, cursor-driven escapade.

With respect to the "Continents," the individual features have
been grouped according to their geographic influences on the film. For instance,
The Lion King 1 1/2 was developed by Disney's Australian animation team.
Thus, the trailer for the new film can be found under Continent: Australia.
Elton John and Tim Rice are from England. Thus, "Landmark Songwriting"
can by found under Continent: Europe. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is located
at Walt Disney World in Florida. Thus, "Animal Kingdom Lodge" can be
found under Continent: North America > Orlando, FL. Make sense? Again, there
is a tremendous amount of redundancy here. My guess is people will intuit where
to find specific items differently, hence the multiple locations. While the
bonus featurettes and galleries are extremely well assembled, finding and
cycling through them can become somewhat cumbersome. Consider it a quest.

Closing Statement

There are a handful of films that have defined actors and studios for
generations. The Lion King stands shoulder to shoulder with Snow
White, Fantasia, and Sleeping Beauty in showcasing the talent
and range of the Disney Studios. Walt would have been proud. Disney fanatic or
not, this is one film that should hold a special place in any DVD
collection.

The Verdict

Disney proves the power of the DVD medium with yet another inspired
presentation. This court thanks everyone involved in the production of The
Lion King for their creativity and dedication. Your passions are evident in
each and every frame of this film and will be cherished always. Court is
adjourned.